Open Banking Expo Awards 2026: Winners celebrated in London following 46% rise in entries

The winners of the Open Banking Expo Awards 2026 have been announced, recognising the organisations, teams and individuals driving progress across Open Banking, Open Finance, Payments and Smart Data. 

Held at the Business Design Centre in London on 13 October, the ceremony brought together the international community to celebrate achievements ranging from fraud prevention and financial inclusion to AI, payments infrastructure and industry leadership. 

Supported by headline partner Raidiam, the Awards attracted a 46% increase in entries this year. An independent judging panel assessed submissions on their innovation, execution and evidence of impact. 

JS Group and Onteric each secured two awards. JS Group won Best Customer Experience and Open Banking for Good for its work helping organisations deliver financial support to students and other beneficiaries. Onteric took Innovation of the Year and Best Use of AI in Open Banking and Open Finance: Customer Experience & Decisioning for its approach to extracting and verifying financial information held outside APIs. 

Other winners included Monzo for Best Use of Data, Banco de Crédito e Inversiones (Bci) for Best Open Finance Application, and Token.io & Santander for Best Open Banking Payments Project. 

Kelly Stanley, co-founder of Open Banking Expo, said: “What stood out this year was the evidence of Open Banking and Open Finance making a practical difference. From helping people access financial support to improving how businesses manage payments and data, our winners showed what this industry can deliver. 

“A huge congratulations to our winners and highly commended finalists, and thank you to our judges for the care and expertise they brought to the process. We are also incredibly grateful to Raidiam and all our category partners for supporting this celebration of the industry’s achievements.” 

Raidiam returned as headline partner for a third consecutive year.

Barry O’Donohoe, co-founder and chief executive officer of Raidiam, said: “As returning headline sponsor of the Open Banking Expo Awards for a third consecutive year, I’m delighted to congratulate both the shortlisted entrants and this year’s winners. These Awards honour the best in our sector.” 

Individual honours recognised leadership and advocacy across the ecosystem. Huw Davies of Ozone API was named Industry Technology Leader of the Year, while Henk Van Hulle of Open Banking Limited received Industry Ecosystem Leader of the Year. 

Michelle Beyo of Finavator/Open Finance Network of Canada won Advocate of the Year, presented in memory of Tim Corke. Elaine Smith of Volt was named Women in Open Banking: Woman of the Year, and Sanya Juneja of Financial Innovation for Impact received the Rising Star award. 

Hosted by comedian Jimmy McGhie, the evening also featured a performance by CK Gospel Choir and supported The Money Charity. 

The 2026 winners in full:

• Best Anti-Fraud Solution: FacePOS
• Best App: PocketSmith
• Best Customer Experience: JS Group
• Innovation of the Year: Onteric
• Most Impactful Open Banking Initiative: D•One by ClearScore
• Open Banking for Good: JS Group
• Best Use of AI in Open Banking and Open Finance: Customer Experience & Decisioning: Onteric
• Best Use of AI in Open Banking and Open Finance: Operations, Risk & Compliance: Powens
• Women in Open Banking – Rising Star: Sanya Juneja, Financial Innovation for Impact
• Women in Open Banking – Woman of the Year: Elaine Smith, Volt
• Industry Technology Leader of the Year: Huw Davies, Ozone API
• Industry Ecosystem Leader of the Year: Henk Van Hulle, Open Banking Limited
• Advocate of the Year: Michelle Beyo, Finavator / Open Finance Network of Canada
• Best Team: Centre for Finance, Innovation & Technology (CFIT)
• Best Use of Data: Monzo
• Best Open Finance Application: Banco de Crédito e Inversiones (Bci)
• Best Open Banking Payments Project: Token.io & Santander
• Best Regulatory Open Banking Initiative: Open Banking Limited
• Best Open Banking Sector Transformation: PayPoint
• Best Industry Partnership: Fumopay & Cashflows
• Best Open Banking Infrastructure: Ecosystem enablers: Ozone API
• Best Open Banking Infrastructure: Platform providers: Token.io 

Highly commended recognition also went to Know Your Dosh in both Best App and Best Open Finance Application; Yaspa; Barry O’Donohoe of Raidiam; Steve Boms of the Financial Data & Technology Association (FDATA); HSBC UK; Salt Edge; and Volt. 

Explore the winners and the judges’ comments here.